Crime in Caterham: statistics, rates and trends

1,841 crimes were recorded in Caterham in the 12 months to July 2026, 79.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 611 reports (33% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Caterham has the 622nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Caterham was highest in the year to July 2026 (1,841 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,414). Over the whole period it rose 11%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Caterham over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for public order.

The largest increases were in anti-social behaviour (+44%) and shoplifting (+35%). The largest falls were in drugs (-66%).

Violence and sexual offences in Caterham

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Caterham recorded 611 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (26.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 33.2% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Caterham

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Caterham recorded 312 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 44% on the year before. It made up 16.9% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Caterham

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Caterham recorded 219 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Caterham

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Caterham recorded 150 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.5 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 8.1% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Caterham

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Caterham recorded 146 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Caterham

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Caterham recorded 142 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 7.7% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Caterham

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Caterham recorded 96 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Caterham

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Caterham recorded 47 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 66% on the year before. It made up 2.6% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Caterham

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Caterham recorded 37 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Caterham

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Caterham recorded 34 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Caterham

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Caterham recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 125% on the year before. It made up 1.0% of all crime in the area.

Theft from the person in Caterham

Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Caterham recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 27% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.

Robbery in Caterham

Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Caterham recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Caterham

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Caterham recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Caterham, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Caterham.

4 areas within Caterham, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Valley had the highest rate (126.0 per 1,000) and Portley & Queens Park the lowest (63.4). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Caterham over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Caterham over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.

Caterham has an estimated population of 23,100. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Caterham sits in decile 7.3, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Caterham. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.